Rebound device



' SEARCH R00 Aug. 25, 1936. c. E. CAESTECKER 2,052,079

. REBOUND DEVICE Filed Febjla, 1936 Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REBOUND DEVICE Application February 15, 1936, Serial No. 64,112

8 Claims.

This invention relates to rebound or deflecting devices of the type that are especially suitable for embodiment in amusement game devices, such as pin games, wherein a projectile, such as a ball, is caused to be impelled or travel over the surface of a playing field. Such devices are usually positioned so that the projectiles may encounter them and rebound back in the same general direction, or may be deflected inJ'a different path or direction.

The degree of success accorded amusement game devices, such as pin games, is to a large extent dependent upon the action or movement of elements comprising the game for creating, stimulating and maintaining interest of the players. Rebound or deflecting devices have been employed in such game devices mainly for the purpose of causing action, which devices in some cases augments, while in other cases reduces the element of chance in causing a projectile, impelled or directed over the surface of the playing field of the game, to pursue a certain path of travel.

An extensively used device of the above mentioned character comprises anupright support or post, mounted on the playing field of the game, and to which post the end of a fiat, laterally extending resilient spring arm is rigidly connected. This type of device, however, is not entirely satisfactory because the portion of the spring arm immediately adjacent its connection .to the post is not sufficiently flexible for causing any appreciable amount of rebound of the pro- I jectile, and because the post, being exposed in all directions, may be struck by a projectile, absorbing the impact thereof, thus retarding the speed of travel of the projectile over the playing field.

It is therefore a primary object of my invention to provide an improved device of the above mentioned character wherein the resilient spring arm is disposed in spaced apart relation to its support.

Another object is to provide an improved rebound device having a resilient spring impact arm disposed in spaced-apart relation to its support and extending beyond the support in opposite directions.

A further object of my invention resides in the provision of an improved rebound device including a laterally extending resilient spring impact arm having a resilient curved extension connected to and substantially surrounding the support in spacedapart relation thereto.

A still further object is to provide an improved device of the above mentioned character which is simple, durable and economical to produce.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:-

Figure l is a side elevation of a rebound device, embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a transverse fragmentary section, taken at line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the device.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device embOdying a further modification of my invention.

Devices of the type embodying the present invention generally are mounted on a horizontally disposed playing field, or, preferably, a field that is slightly pitched so that the projectiles or balls may be impelled thereover, or may, by action of gravity, travel from one end toward the other. The device represented in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawing comprises an upright support or post, It), the lower portion of which is provided with a splined periphery, I I, for a drive fit into an aperture, l2, of the playing field, l3, which may be of wood, paper or other suitable material. The upper portion of the post is provided with a notch, M, as clearly seen in Figure 3, forming a seat for the anchoring end of a spring member, i5, which is formed of fiat tempered spring steel, and is disposed in proper relation to the playing field, [3, so as to permit encounter with a projectile or ball traveling over said field.

Said spring member, l5, includes a resilient, laterally extending impact arm, i6, disposed in spaced-apart relation to the post, and extending beyond the post in opposite directions. Said arm is formed as a continuation of a curved portion, ll, which, as may be seen in Figure 2, comprises substantially a complete convolution of a spiral, terminating in a straight end portion, l8, seated in the notch, ll, of the post, Ill. The material of the post, above and below said notch, is upset or peened over, as indicated at l9, as may be clearly seen in Figure 3, so as to permanently secure the spring member, I5, to the post, In. The main portion of the arm, l6, preferably extends to one side of the post and is tapered toward its free end to provide greater resiliency. If desired, the arm portion, N5, of the spring member, l5, may be formed of reduced width of metal as compared to the normal width of said spring member for also increasing the resiliency of said arm. The rebound device is normally poowner: iiUUlV sitioned on the playing field with the external surface of the arm, I6, facing the general direction of travel of the balls or projectiles.

By virtue of this construction a projectile or ball impelled or traveling over the board constituting the playing field, I 3, when encountering this device, will always rebound and be deflected back in the same or another path or direction, due to the energy created in the spring member by the impact of the projectile therewith. Moreover, by this construction it is impossible for a ball to strike a dead spot on the spring or post, as in prior constructions, which would tend to absorb the energy of the impact, thus materially reducing the action of the ball, which detracts from the interest and appeal of the game. Generally, in amusement devices of the above mentioned type, the playing field is provided with several devices of various forms which may be encountered by a ball or projectile, which may cause the ball to be re-directed, possibly toward the rearward side of the rebound device, possibly striking the post. When this happens the ball loses some of its energy, causing it to slow up. By extending the resilient spring arm around the post in spaced relation thereto, a ball that might have struck the post will encounter the curved spring portion, I1, which, by reason of its resilient character, imparts motion to the ball, without appreciable loss of energy, causing the ball to be re-directed at substantial speed, providing a high degree of action, which ismuch desired.

In the modified construction represented in Figure 4, the spring member, 20, is of fiat spring stock and includes a laterally extending resilient impact arm, 2|, disposed in spaced relation to the post, I 0, and extending beyond the post in opposite directions. The arm is formed as a continuation of a curved, spaced-apart reversely extending portion, 22, which continues into a curved portion, 23, extending partially around and in spaced relation to the post, I0. Said curved portion, 23, is provided with a small straight terminal or end portion, 24, rigidly connected to the post in the same manner as above described.

Figure 5 illustrates a further modification of my invention and includes a spring member, 25, of fiat spring stock, having a laterally extending resilient impact arm, 26, disposed in spaced relation to the post, l0, and also extending laterally beyond the post in opposite directions. In this construction the arm, 26, is also formed as a continuation of a curved, spaced-apart, reversely extending portion, 21, which, in turn, is a continuation of a curved resilient portion, 28, which is substantially a complete convolution of a spiral disposed in spaced-apart relation to and substantially surrounding the post, l0, and having a fiat terminal or end portion, 29, rigidly secured in the notched seat of the post, H), by the upset portions, I4, as described in connection with the construction disclosed in Figures 1 to 3. The curved portion, 28, surrounding the post, Ill, thus serves to re-direct or cause rebound of any balls or projectiles that would otherwise strike the post from a lateral or rearward direction.

Although I have shown and described certain preferred forms of my invention, it is manifest that it is capable of further modification and rearrangement without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the specific forms herein shown and described, except as so limited in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a support, and a spring member connected at one end to the support and including a. laterally extending resilient arm disposed in spacedapart relation to said support in a direction transversely with respect to the length of said arm.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a support, and a spring member connected at one end to the support and including 2. laterally extending resilient arm disposed in spacedapart relation to said support, and extending beyond the support in opposite directions.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a support, and a spring member including a laterally extending resilient arm, disposed in spaced-apart relation to said support in a direction transversely with respect to the length of said arm and continuing into a curved portion, the end of which is rigidly connected to said support.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a support, and a spring member including a laterally extending resilient arm, disposed in spaced-apart relation to said support and continuing into a curved portion-extending around a portion of the support, the end of said curved ,portion being rigidly connected to the support.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a support, and a spring member including a laterally extending resilient arm, disposed in spaced-apart relation to said support and continuing into a curved portion substantially surrounding the support in spaced-apart relation thereto, the end of said curved portion being rigidly connected to said support.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a support, and a spring member connected at one end to said support and including a laterally extending resilient arm, disposed in spaced-apart relation to the support, and extending beyond the support'in opposite directions, said arm continuing into a spaced-apart reversely extending portion disposed in spaced relation to the support.

7. A device of the character described, comprising a support, and a spring memberincluding a laterally extending resilient in spaced-apart relation'to the'support, and continuing into a spirally curved portionsubstantially surrounding the support in spaced relation thereto, the end of said curved portion-being rigidly secured to said support.

8. A device-of the character describedcomprising a support,- and a spring member including a laterally extending'resilient arm, disposed in spaced-apart relation to the support and extending beyond said 'support'in opposite directions, said arm continuinginto a spaced-apart, reversely'extending portion disposed adiacent and in spaced relation to the support, and terminating in a curved portion extending around-a portion of the support, the end of said curved portion being rigidly connected to said support.

CHARLES E. CAESTECKER.

a: New

arm, disposed 

